Best Solar Pool Heaters Reviews

In the summer, it's actually expedient. Who doesn’t like to take a dip in the cool water, especially when the body wants to escape from the undue summer heat? The heat of nature and the cold water makes a perfect combination, enabling longer swimming sessions. Unfortunately, falls come sooner than you expect, putting an end to this little pleasure time of yours. The water becomes freezing cold and short showers at your home start to feel more logical.

Does that mean your backyard pool is only constrained to hot summer days? Is swimming in a chilling day really out of question?

Thankfully, the answer is no. There is a small attachment that can buy you these happy hours all year long. Just installing nothing other than the best solar pool heater will ensure your pool remains accessible to you regardless the season. These solar pool heaters come with a great value in terms of investment, emits no harmful wastage and are easier to install than their fuel counterparts.

Solar Pool Heater Cost

How much is a solar pool heater? Is it really cost-effective? Those are the burning questions when someone makes an attempt at this investment. I mean, it seems easier to pay the pool heater bills on a monthly basis rather than doing a one-time investment.

Not exactly. You see, the cost of pool heater equipment runs around 1500-3500 dollars. While solar pool heaters, gas, and electric pool heaters come within the same range of 1500$-2500$, the heat pumps are slightly expensive, ranging between 2500$-3500$ dollars. The installation cost is 500-1000 dollars on average, which depends on the type of the pool, quality (high end/low end).

Till now the investment made on solar heaters isn’t much less, but they really make a difference when it comes to the after-purchase cost. See the average cost per month associated with these heaters-

Electric Resistance Heaters: 500$-600$

Gas Heaters: 200$-400$

Heat Pumps: 100$-200$

Solar Pool Heaters: 0$

Of course, the maintenance cost varies depending on various factors, such as weather, season, size of the pool, frequency of usage, solar pool cover. But the fact is, no other options offer flexibility and free of cost operation like solar poll heaters do. You won’t have to turn your pool heater off just because you can’t afford it.

Are Pool Heaters Worth It?

Solar pool heaters aren’t entirely new in the scenario, although their effectiveness and popularity increased a lot in the recent times. They go back to the late 70s, while the American households started to show their interest towards solar technologies.

Apart from being cost-effective, solar pool covers offer numerous other benefits that might tempt you to switch towards them. While the price of fuels continues to skyrocket, more and more people are leaning towards alternative energy. And the biggest source of alternative energy is, guess what, the sun. While the fuel reserves are expected to come to an end within the next 50-100 years, the sun is likely to hang in there for a much longer time. There’s no scarce of solar power and they can be found pretty much anywhere.

When it comes to the environment, the solar power is the cleanest, most environmentally friendly option. Solar pool heaters offer a great contribution towards a greener society, with no pollution, no harmful wastage and of course, no carbon footprint.

Unlike gas or propane-based pool heaters, they are actually easy and hassle-free to operate. While the former two tend to go rogue from time to time, less are the chances that’ll happen with solar heaters. On top of that, a good quality solar pool heater will keep serving you for the next 15-20 years.

Types Of Solar Pool Heaters

There are mainly three types of solar pool heaters. If you are a pool owner, you should know about all of them, or how they work. This will present you with multiple options when you decide to install one.

Batch Type Solar Pool Heater

The mechanism is quite simple, and some may say ancient. Instead of plain solar panels, the solar heat is received by insulated, glass-plated box. The box is connected to a big container, which is usually dark in color and can hold a huge amount of waters. The box transfers the heat received from the sun to the container, resulting the water in the container to heat up. Sometimes, the container comes with an additional heating coil wrapped around it to help with the process. There is a geyser attached to the pool to give you a glimpse of current temperature at any moment.

The main advantage of the system is, it continues to work even when the pump is off. The temperature of the container water continues to rise over time and you get the hot water ready whenever you want. You will have extra water stored in addition to the pool water.

Unfortunately, the disadvantage outperforms the advantage for many users. In areas where the temperature goes freezing cold at winter, the containers might crack if there’s water stored inside. Which means you have to evacuate the water at the end of each season, resulting in a huge wastage of water.

Rigid/ Flat Panel Type

The heating system comes in the most common form, flat panels. Understandably this is the most popular and widely used type of solar pool heater. They are also fast in terms of heating the pool water. On a bright sunny day, you can expect your pool water ready with a cozy, warm temperature within minutes.

The setup comes with plain, flat, yet rigid panels, known as collectors. They are thin, cloistered boxes with strong, tempered glass. They receive the heat and transfer that to a black pad suitable to receive high heat. The black pads are usually situated inside the tampered glasses. When the water runs through the collectors, they slurp the heat from those pads and come back to the pool.

The efficiency allows the whole process up and running within minutes. You can even choose to filter the pool at the time you’re swimming. They even come with a pretty good warranty, as long as 25 years.

Evacuated Tube Types

This one is known as the most efficient and fastest type of heater. This mechanism works in a closed loop system and exchanges the heat between the setup and the pool.

The setup comes with a series of two-layered glass tubes. Small glass tubes contained within large glass tubes, being a vacuum in between. The upper layers receive the solar heat, send them towards the darker and smaller layer. The vacuum space help contain the heat. The heat is then transferred to a small water box containing a heat exchanger.

The pump is connected to the water box, all the water pumped go through the box, receive heat from the metal coils of the exchanger and go to the pool. This enables a fast-heating process.

This type of solar pool heater tends to go for a long time, even decades. Although the price is higher than the other two types, the efficiency justifies the price.

How Does A Solar Pool Heater Work?

A solar pool heater consists of the following accessories.

Solar Collector: They are the main part of solar heaters and responsible for receiving heat. Although the mechanism and receiving method might vary, one thing is common, they receive the heat and transfer are to the water run through them.

Pump: Circulate the water between the pump and the pool. Sends cold water to the collector for heating purpose.

Filter: A small leaf or debris can cause harm to the setup, especially when the pump is running. A filter prevents anything solid trying to go through the collector.

Flow Control Valve: Controls the flow of the water, makes sure the water goes through the collector.

Geyser: You won’t want to jump on the pool without assurance, right? Well, a geyser provides you the temperature at any given moment.

The common mechanism is, the water is pumped and sent to the collector through the filter. The valve ensures the water goes to the collector and a hosepipe sends the water back. The geyser helps monitor the temperature.

How Well Do A Solar Pool Heater Work?

They work pretty well unless you make any unrealistic decision. The setup and panel number depend on various attributes, your pool size, the average temperature during the winter, available roof space, the temperature you want to swim in, whether or not you’ll use a solar pool cover.

If you buy a smaller heating system to save some bucks. You’ll fall in the loop of false economy and probably won’t get desired output.

But if implemented correctly, you can expect your pool temperature rise by 5-8 degree Celsius. By using the best solar pool heater, your swimming season should extend by 8-12 weeks, distributed equally between before and after of the actual season. Above all, the heating system won’t add any extra bill on your monthly expense.

Solar Pool Heater VS Heat Pump

One of the burning questions pool owners face before buying the ultimate pool heater, solar pool heater or the electric heat pump? Each of them offers a different set of advantages, but according to us, solar pool heaters offer the better solution.

Electric pool heaters: They run on electricity, receives heat from the environment and release it on the pool. The advantage of this setup is it works fairly faster, almost instantly, thus convenient for occasional users. The drawback is the cost. Depending on whether you use pool cover or not, the cost can range from 200$-900$ per year. Their life expectancy is 10 years.

Solar pool heaters: They run on solar energy, of course. The water runs through solar collectors, which collect heat from the sun and release it on the water. They come with almost zero maintenance cost, while you can also find solace as you’re contributing towards a sustainable environment. They are expected to run for 20 years, double the expected lifetime of heat pumps.

The drawback is they are dependent on sun, but the high-end heaters work well in even low light settings. They also heat the pool at a slower rate. But as long as the process is free, that isn’t any problem, right?

How To Install Solar Pool Heater

Above Ground Solar Pool Heater Installation

The installation of this type of pool is comparatively easy and can be done by the pool owner. You can set-up the panels on the ground. You need to find a place that gets an uninterrupted 6-8 hours of sunlight every day.

A setup which makes the panels face south is the best, as they’ll be supposed to get the brightest sunlight. For more convenience, you can build a rack which keeps the panels at a 45-degree angle. A simple wooden rack will suffice.

You’ll have to connect two hoses between the pump, heater and the pool. One hose connects the pump and the heater, bringing cold water to the heater. Another hose connects the heater and the pool, taking the warm water into the pool.

You do not have to mount the panels just beside the pool. These setups are customizable, which means you can add additional solar panels, or pipe the water to any distant location.

In-Ground Pool Heater Installation

This type of installation is slightly tougher and takes more time. The reason is there’s plumbing and combining the panels are included in the process. The surface of solar panels should be around 50% of your pool area.

You can mount the panels on the roof, but if the roof doesn’t have adequate space, your yard will do. You’ll need a wooden rack built-up for that. Make sure the place gets at least 6 hours of bright sunlight.

Unpack the panels and attach them. Mount them on the roof (or the rack) using provided hardware. Don’t forget to confer the cross straps which will protect the setup against high wind.

Next, to the filter, cut the return pipe and attach it to the check valve (one way) and inverter valve (three-way). Those valves come with solar controller pack. Good valves are not cheap, but they make sure the water flow goes to the panel.

Here’s a great video of the process.

Solar Pool Heater Buying Guide

Pool Size

If you want to avoid not getting desired performance from your solar pool heater later, you need to take the size of your pool into consideration. Your solar panels should count for at least 50% of the total surface area of the pool. The number should even be increased for colder areas, like the northern regions. The bigger your surface area of the solar panels, the greater and faster performance you can expect.

Here is an estimate of how much solar panels you might be needed; the number can, of course, vary due to reasons we’ll discuss later.

Small Pool- Approx. 30m3= 17 flat rigid panels.

Medium Pool- Approx. 45m3= 36 flat rigid panels.

Bigger Pool- Approx. 60m3= 48 flat rigid panels.

Use of Pool Blanket

Whether or not you’ll use a pool blanket will determine what capacity do you need in your solar pool heater. As solar pool covers retain heat, they act as the confidante of solar heaters, increasing the efficiency.

In colder areas, the night temperature tends to affect the heating time at daytime. You will be required to install stronger heater if that is the case. However, solar pool cover helps preserving some of the temperatures during the night. Which means, the amount of sunlight you are getting should be enough with current settings.

Your Temperature Requirement

There’s another thing you should consider, which is how much water the heater can heat and what is the temperature you think is ideal. Usually, solar pool heaters can raise the heat in a range of 5-8 degrees. If you need a higher rise, the pool heater should be bigger. There are some high-end models that can raise the temperature by 15 degrees.

However, the capacity also depends on the amount and quality of sunlight you get. Remember, they work from sunlight, not just the warmth they get from the surroundings. In warmer areas like Florida, sun provide a good 8 hours of light, which helps the heater work without any disruption. In colder northern areas, the temperature rise will be slower.

Solar Panel Size

Of course, you need a place to install the solar panels, right? The solar panel size depends on your situation, how much space do you have to spare.

Most of the people opt for roof space. The reason is clear, they’re usually idle and tough to access by people. Nonetheless, you should choose the place depending on how much sunlight that space is getting, whether there are any obstacles. If you are concerned about how much space you need, you can take a quotation from a professional.

Remember, although the size of the panels should be determined by the pool size, lack of space might refrain you from doing so. In that case, you can go for higher efficiency, high-end heaters that occupy lesser space. You’ll always need some extra space around the heater for installation and maintenance purpose. Also, you’ll have to make sure the place isn’t somewhere your kids and pets can easily run by.

Your Budget

Th price of solar pool panels can run within the range of 100$- 300$. If 100$ is a bit excessive for you but you still want to get a taste of warm pool water, you can go for solar pool covers that range from 20$- 100$. If you are okay with the minimum amount of a solar pool heater, you’ll get decent brands like Kakido and GAME.

On the other hand, if you do not have a problem spending the right amount of money to stay relaxed for the next couple of years, brands like SmartPool, SunQuest should provide you with high-end panels.

As for installation, installing pool heater for above ground pool is easier than installing a heater for in-ground pools. That said, DIY installation can be a hassle, especially if you do not have the right tool and expertise. If you hire an expert to get the job done, that’ll cost you from 500$ to 1000$. Our advice is, let a professional do the work, that’ll save you a lot of hassle and possible maintenance cost later.

Warranty

Low-end solar heaters come with a promise of savings, but they don’t last long and require maintenance from time to time. If you need to get rid of the worry, we suggest you buy panels with warranty.

A solar heater is expected to last for 15-25 years and heats up thousands of gallons of water in its lifetime. As the solar panels are exposed to the sun, there’s some deterioration over time. But the manufacturers offering warranty try to keep that contained using UV inhibitors.

Usually, manufacturers offer 10-15 years of warranty with their products. Some manufacturers even come with a warranty as long as 25 years. The warranty determines how long your investment will remain a truly one-time investment.

Soler Pool Heaters Comparison Chart

Name

Dimensions

Weight

Suitable For

Specialty

Fafco Solar Bear

55 x 15 x 15 inches

34 pounds

Above Ground Pools

Very Efficient, Durable, UV Stabilized

Intex Solar Heater Mat

47 x 47 inches

5.3 pounds

Above Ground Pools

Very Cheap, Lightweight

GAME 4512 SolarPro XD1

22.8 x 9.8 x 22.8 inches

12.45 pounds

Above Ground Pools

Attractive Design, Compact, Lightweight

Smartpool S601P SunHeater

4 x 20 inches

29 pounds

Inground, Above Ground Pools

USA Made, Durable, Lightweight

2-2'X20' SunQuest

31 x 16 x 16 inches

44 pounds

Inground, Above Ground Pools

Oversized Heads, Quick Heating, Multiple Package Options.

XtremepowerUS

28 inches x 20 ft

15 pounds

Inground, Above Ground Pools

Cheap, Easy Installation, High Temperature Rise.

GAME 4721 SolarPRO

43.3 x 9.4 x 27.2 inches

18.3 pounds

Inground, Above Ground Pools

Curved Design, Commercial Grade Materials, Cheap.

Best Solar Pool Heaters Reviews

Above Ground Solar Pool Heater Reviews

1. Fafco Solar Bear Economy Heating System

This one is the largest solar heater set up on our list, and one of the higher performing too. The size of this heater takes up a lot of space, hence the name bear. But it doesn’t fail to deliver when it matters.

The solar heater comes with a large collector, which is 4ft x 20 ft in diameter. The package includes two 6ft 1.5 inches diameter pipes, 4 clamps, bypass valve to control the water flow and other essential hardware. The 2 inches headers ensure exceptional heat transfer from sunlight to the water. The body is made of polypropylene and are UV stabilized, which makes the heater durable. You can mount the panels on a rack, on your roof, or just put it on the ground, but a 30-degree angle mounting works best.

The heater mechanism is slightly different from other models. It has a more direct approach when it comes to heat transfer. The pump sends water directly to the panels, via the solar collector and the water come back warm. The setup works well between 10 am to 4 pm, when the sun is at its brightest. However, the time depends on your region, weather and season.

Specifications

Dimension- 55 x 15 x 15 inches

Weight- 34 pounds

Color- Black

Hose Diameter- 1.5 inches

Head Diameter- 2 inches

Suitable For- Above ground pool

What We Like

The heater is durable, eco-friendly, comes at a decent price. You do not have to break the bank but still, you’ll get a 10-year warranty product. The UV resistant design makes sure the setup stays decay-free for that long. For many users, this is the best above ground solar pool heater.

Oversized headers make the circulation of water and heat extremely easy. The 2 inches headers let more water pass without any obstacle, whereas the typical 1.5 inches decreases circulation and compromises the heating efficiency.

The setup comes without any connectors, which makes it extremely easy to set it up anywhere. You can even lay it beside the pool if you have a scarcity of extra space. It can heat the water up to an impressive 10 degrees.

What Are The Drawbacks?

The only drawback some might say is the bulky size. You need to make quite a room to facilitate this heater. But at least it doesn’t deceive the users, it gives good performance and the size assists in that.

2. Intex Solar Heater Mat

Use it anywhere, anytime…that’s how you can describe Intex solar heater mat. This isn’t like the traditional heaters we will discuss here. But it takes the place due to the flexibility it offers. It’s small, it’s carriable, it comes with a very, very low-price tag. It might not be the best solar heater out there, but it has its place in the budget restrained pool owners.

This is a small, light, almost unnoticeable solar mat with a dimension of 47 x 47 inches. Which means it isn’t even 4 ft when you look at that. But that doesn’t refrain it from being effective, which in this case is the rise of temperature by 3-5 degrees.

The setup process is simple and instant. You can attach it to filter pumps up to ½ HP. The mat can heat water with a pump flow rate of 2500 gallon/ hour. This mat is suitable to work with decent sized pools that can contain 8000 gallons of water.

This floating solar heater won’t do any magic, the temperature rise might not be as par with some of the expensive heaters, but the extremely low price made it a happy-buy for the customers. However, you can join more than one mats to get better performance.

Specifications

Dimension- 47 x 47 inches

Weight- 5.3 pounds

Color- Black

Hose Diameter- 1.25 inches, Direct pump connectivity

Hose Attachment Points- 1.25 inches, Adapters included

Tube Design- Horizontal

Suitable For- Above ground pool

What We Like

This is by far the cheapest solar pool heater, under 25 dollars. You can carry this product easily and it doesn’t take a lot of space. The setup is easy and you can do it yourself. This very best solar mat is compatible with all Intex above ground pools.

When used singly, the mat might not cause any radical change to the temperature of your pool. But you can use several of them and attach them together to get a satisfactory performance.

It can work with swimming pool which contains about 8000 gallons of water. The price and decent efficacy have made the solar heater mat popular to the small pool or spa owners.

What Are The Drawbacks?

Although it works well with small pools, the mat will not likely be suitable for bigger pools. Also, some users complained about the build quality and durability. However, it’ll never hurt your moneybag if you buy and test one for yourself.

3. GAME 4512 SolarPro XD1 Solar Pool Heater With Adapter For Intex

The criticism about solar pool panel is most of the time, they aren’t pleasing to the eyes. Be it bulky like Fafco, or unappealing like Intex mat, they are made for necessary works. But there’s also a product like GAME 4512 SolarPro XD1 Solar Pool Heater, which is efficient and aesthetically pleasing at the same time.

It doesn’t come with those bulky solar panels, but the mechanism allows to transfer heat from the sun to the pool. This is the green way to warm your pool. The setup is fairly easy, you do not need any additional adapter to run it. This heater increases the pool water by 5 degrees if given 3-8-daytime. While it might not be the fastest, it’s the best one for the price range it comes with.

This portable solar pool heater can work with pools containing up to 8000 gallons of water. There’s no restriction if you want to use it for bigger pools. However, in that case, buying an additional heater and bypass kit will help meet your desired performance.

Specifications

Dimension- 22.8 x 9.8 x 22.8 inches

Weight- 12.45 pounds

Color- Black

Heating Capacity- 8000 gallons.

Suitable For- Above ground pool

What We Like

The unique dome design is attractive and the size isn’t bulky. Which means you can easily add an additional one without running the risk of space shortage. The heater is easy to install, you won’t need any additional fuel or electricity to run this.

The curling connector tubes are capable of absorbing a good amount of heat despite being compact and lightweight. The whole setup price is reasonable, and you can even use it with a saltwater pump. The setup comes with an adapter so you do not need to purchase separately.

What Are The Drawbacks?

While this GAME heater works well for small pools, you will need to do some additional investment for medium or large pools. As it increases 5-degree temperature, which might seem low to many, you’ll have to buy another one and pair up these two for top performance.

In-Ground Solar Pool Heater Reviews

4. Smartpool S601P SunHeater Solar Heating System for In-Ground Pool

Users have been content with the service of Smartpool S601P, which reflects on the praise and good reviews it gets on Amazon. This is one of the best solar swimming pool heaters out there because the package brings balance to the cost, durability, and performance.

When it comes to using solar energy, size matters! That’s why the Smartpool heater comes with 80 square ft of solar panels. The panels are specialized panels with tubes inside them. As the tubes collect heat from the sun, they warm up the water passing through quickly.

Although the setup of this heater isn’t an easy pie. But it’s worth the labor. The heat collector is made of polypropylene, so you can install it once and it’ll go on for a long time. The panel arrays are 4 feet wide, and the length is 20 feet. The panels are effective, yet lightweight. Once up and running, this heater can raise your pool temperature up to 10-15 degrees.

The proven system Smartpool comes with works well for both inground and above ground pools. However, the heater doesn’t come with additional kits, so you have to purchase the SK21 system kit separately. With one kit, you can attach 4 packages, which should be enough for a standard pool. All the necessary hardware needed for mounting the panels come with the kit.

Specifications

Dimension- 4 x 20 inches

Weight- 29 pounds

Color- Black

Additional Accessories- Interchangeable adaptors

Suitable For- Inground pool, Above ground pool

What We Like

The product is made in the USA, being the best inground solar pool heater. The structure is solid, the polypropylene is high quality, not the cheaply made design you’ll find in lower models. The buyers were satisfied the customer service, which is quite assuring if you need after-sale service.

The heater works well under direct sunlight. But those who used it expressed their satisfaction with its performance even if the sunlight is scarce. It can raise the temperature by 4-5 degrees if it gets a moderate 5 hours of indirect sunlight.

The special direct flow design lets the pool water heat faster. The heat isn’t transferred to the pool, or the water hasn't stored any container. This is a running process; the pool water will continue circulating through the tubes and the heat up will be uniform.

What Are The Drawbacks?

The package comes with zero installation guide. Which is a small catch, but nothing to worry about, there are YouTube videos to help you with that, you can even contact the manufacturers via email. Also, the setup process isn’t completely DIY. You might have to hire a professional for the installation.

Among traditional panel solar heater, SunQuest is considered as the company that produces high-end products. The roof installation isn’t something you can do instantly, but once the process is done, your worry is gone. The panels are large, they are quite efficient, can heat up your pool within hours and aesthetically they are a treat for the eyes.

It’s difficult to not hear of SunQuest if you are a pool owner. They come in various packages, so that flexibility is all your when you buy. The package we are reviewing comes with a roof mount and diverter, so you have pretty much everything. If you want complete package, SunQuest have the best solar pool heating systems on the market.

The OD heads are 2 inches in diameter, which helps in better water circulation without any obstacle and puts less pressure on the pump.The heater works with both inground and above ground pools. While installing them on the ground isn’t much of a hassle, if you want to install them on the roof, it’s better to hire a professional. The heater is compatible with all types of pumps, so all you need is the package itself.

Specifications

Dimension- 31 x 16 x 16 inches

Weight- 44 pounds

Color- Black

Hose Diameter- 1.5 inches

Head Diameter- 2 inches

Suitable For- Above ground pool, Inground pool

What We Like

The SunQuest panels are unsurpassed when it comes to providing value. They are among the best rated solar pool heaters on the market. They can increase the temperature of the pool by a whopping 10 degrees, so it’s a whole new water when you jump on.

The installation itself is pretty easy. It can be installed within 30 minutes thanks to the manual. As the package comes complete with diverter and mounting kit, you do not have to run for any additional accessories. However, if you want it to install on the roof, it’s better to leave that for professionals for safety purpose.

The panels are flexible, so there’s little chance they’ll break off in high wind. The solar panels warm up the water coming through the pipe, the oversized head makes the heat transition smooth and uninterrupted.

What Are The Drawbacks?

There are no major drawbacks for the product, as the price and quality justify each other. However, the large-sized solar panels will need bigger space, which might be a concern for people running short in void space.

What’s not to like about XtremepowerUS solar pool heater? Its big, probably the most effective solar heater on the market, and comes in a ridiculously low-price range. The heater is easy to install, gets attached to your pump and filter system directly. It rises up the temperature by 15 degrees. You can install and enjoy the mighty performance of this heater within a day!

The mechanism might feel unusual to some, but they’re effective. This setup consists of 28 inches x20 ft rolls, which accounts for 40 sq. ft area, and take a significant space out of your yard/roof. However, the rolls can be connected easily according to your need. For example, it works well for a 3000-gallon water pool. If the size of your pool is bigger, or the weather is cooler than normal, you might consider additional rolls.

Ideally, you can install the roll on the roof. With the price it comes, you can install more than one, and get a permanent solution for your heating problem. The heater works well with both Inground and Above ground pools. If your pump is 1.5 HP or greater, you might need a diverter kit, which you’ll have to purchase separately.

Specifications

Dimension- 28 inches x 20 ft

Weight- 15 pounds

Color- Black

Standard quantity- 3000 gallons

Suitable For- Above ground pool, Inground pool

What We Like

The heater comes with many traits. It's a cheap solar pool heater, price being less than 100$. It doesn’t carry much weight and can be bent easily, which gives an edge while installing. You can attach multiple of them without needing any heavy equipment.

This is a universal pool heater. Works well with different types of pool. What noteworthy is, it can easily raise the temperature 10-15 degrees if given a few days. The tube system is very effective in catching heat from a minimal sunlight.

The additional panels can be joined by yourself without needing any professional. You can use ¼ turn molded joints to lock them together. Just make sure the water flow is right.

What Are The Drawbacks?

If your pool is larger than 80 sq. ft, you will be needing more than one package. Remember, the rolls take quite some space. Also, you may need diverter kit if the pump is 1.5 HP or above.

7. GAME 4721 SolarPRO Curve Solar Pool Heater

One of the disparagements with solar pool heaters is they are only dependent on solar light, specifically, the quality light they get. While this might be true and unavoidable, we can only try to max the effects of solar light.

The GAME 4721 comes with a unique design and superior technology to achieve maximum output without taking too much space in our yard. The design is curved, aesthetically pleasing and receives maximum sunlight.

One major drawback is other traditional solar heaters is, they lose effectiveness slowly as the sun moves across the sky. The curved design of GAME 4721 enables it to receive light for extended periods. The process doesn’t stop there, the robust blow-molded plastic structure and the transparent cover absorbs the heat and prevent it from leaving. The setup can be easily used for both Inground and Above ground pools.

The collectors are made of high-grade commercial materials, which can go for several years. The setup comes with threaded ports so that you can attach it anywhere. Two hoses and hose clamps are provided by the manufacturers to send the water to collectors and then routing them to the pool.

Specifications

Dimension- 43.3 x 9.4 x 27.2 inches

Weight- 18.3 pounds

Color- Black

Intex Adapter- Included

Suitable For- Above ground pool, Inground pool

What We Like

The unique design of the heater can effectively heat up a pool with 10000 gallons of water by 5 degrees Celsius. Remember, the cost associated with that is zero after the purchase. If you have a bigger pool, you can easily combine 2-3 of them to get high-end performance.

The GAME heater comes with a decent price. This heater can do wonder if you give it a few days’ time, users reported to have a 10-degree rise after a couple of days.

The threaded ports make it easy to install anywhere. The GAME 4721 is companionable with above ground pools like Intex and Bestway. As the setup comes with hoses, clamps and Intex adapters, you do not have to purchase any additional kit.

What Are The Drawbacks?

Some users complained about the capability to heat up their big pools. However, this is what happens when you try to light the entire town with your home generator. While the performance astoundingly justifies the output, combine 2-3 of them if you pool is bigger, and you’ll not be disappointed.

Wrapping It Up

If you are determined to buy the best solar pool heater for your particular scenario and managed to read so far, we guess you’re a little more confident than before. Unlike many other products, there’s no heater on the market we can say a clear winner.

Why? Because there’s not just the cost of purchase, you have to keep the installation cost and possible maintenance cost in mind. What seems like a cheap, good deal might end in spending more for maintenance. You have to keep the variables, like pool size, your climate condition, requirement and budget into consideration.

Keeping that in mind, we didn’t restrict ourselves to any specific type. We did solar pool heater reviews from different pool types, solar heater types, budgets, and warranties. But we kept one thing constant, they are undoubtedly the best rated solar pool heaters on the market right now and the users are loving them. The process is made simpler for you, just go through the reviews and hopefully, you’ll find the ultimate one for your pool.